America's top judicial body agrees to hear case challenging citizenship by birth.

The US Supreme Court has will hear a pivotal case that questions a historic constitutional right: guaranteed citizenship for individuals born on American soil.

On the inaugural day in office this January, President Donald Trump enacted a directive aiming to halt the policy, but the order was struck down by lower courts after lawsuits were brought forward.

The Supreme Court's ultimate decision will ultimately affirm citizenship rights for the offspring of migrants who are in the US illegally or on temporary visas, or it will overturn the provision completely.

Next, the court will calendar a session to hear arguments between the administration and claimants, which include immigrant parents and their newborns.

The 14th Amendment

For over a century and a half, the Constitutional amendment has enshrined the rule that every person born in the country is a citizen, with specific conditions for children born to diplomats and members of foreign military forces.

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."

The disputed presidential order sought to refuse citizenship to the children of people who are whether in the US in violation of immigration law or are in the country on short-term status.

The United States is one of about a minority of states – largely in the North and South America – that grant instant citizenship to any person born within their borders.